Intended for healthcare professionals

Letters Covid-19: sidelining of D/deaf staff

Covid-19: lack of guidance on PPE for hearing impaired doctors

BMJ 2020; 370 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2831 (Published 17 July 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;370:m2831
  1. Isabelle J M Williams, year 5 medical student
  1. King's College, Cambridge University, Cambridge CB2 1ST, UK
  1. ijmw2{at}cam.ac.uk

Given the likely ongoing need for personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings, I question whether facemasks alone are satisfactory in the long term. Alternatives, such as visor-like facial coverings, could provide better communication in low risk settings for all, none more so than healthcare workers and patients with impaired hearing who rely on lip reading.1 Masks, with their ear loops, are not ideal for hearing aid wearers. Visors are sturdier, attach around the head, and …

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